PROBLEMS OF CONTROLLING WATER FILTRATION IN HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES IN PERMAFROST REGIONS

Abstract

The relevance of the research is caused by the environmental risks in relation to the technogenic thawing of permafrost soils in the waste storage sites of mining enterprises in the Far North. The main aim of the research is the analysis of world experience on the problems of the permafrost degradation, the filtration channels in fractured tectonic zones development, which cause leakage of circulating water from tailings of mining and processing enterprises, and the search for technological solutions aimed at reducing the filtration flow and preventing environmental problems. Methods: retrospective analysis of publications selected as a result of a search in domestic and international bibliographic databases, including the abstract journal VINITI RAS, Russian Science Citation Index and Scopus bibliographic index from Elsevier, from 2000 to the present. Results. Controlling filtration in tailing dams in permafrost conditions is primarily carried out using management of thermal cycles of soils, constructing anti-seepage screens and curtains, as well as using grouting techniques. The main approaches described in research literature include the use of solutions of artificial cement, lightweights (aluminocilicate microspheres), expanding component and tempering fluids (calcium chloride solution); gypsum-based grouting mixtures, brucite caustic solution, magnesium sulphate, and turf. The use of cryogels constructing a screen that become firmer during freezing-thawing cycles is another promising technique in designing anti-seepage constructions in North and permafrost regions. The analysis of publications from 2000 to the present has shown that despite the urgency of the mine drainage problem, there is a limitation of published research and a lack of technical literature in this area.

Keywords

• permafrost
• thawing soils
• hydraulic structures
• dyke
• embankment
• tailing dam
• review